Fans, media members, prognosticators, current champions, and even Hall of Famers - they’ve all seen enough. Jaron “Boots” Ennis is the real deal. He hasn’t faced the elite-level competition that many are hoping for but those who stepped up to the plate and jumped into the ring with him were flat-out destroyed.
Roy Jones doesn’t give just anyone his stamp of approval. He was one of the best fighters the sport has ever seen and he believes it would be disingenuous if he simply sung the praises of everyone who strung together a few good performances.
Ennis though, caught his attention a few times. After taking a closer look, Jones loves what he sees. Although he can’t find any holes in his game, he does want to see someone rock Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) before anointing him as the best fighter in the world.
“We haven’t seen Boots Ennis against a guy who’s tested his chin,” Jones told YSM Sports Media. “That’s the only thing we don’t know about him yet. We don't know if he can take a real punch yet but as far as the skills go, he got everything.”
If anyone will prove where Ennis should be placed in the welterweight pecking order, it’s Terence Crawford. The 36-year-old has three of the four major world titles and is the consensus answer for most when asked who’s the best fighter around.
Ennis wants Crawford...badly. That feeling, however, isn’t mutual. Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) wants big money and legacy-defining fights, something that Ennis isn’t in a position to give him. His talent, nevertheless, is out of this world. Crawford acknowledged that Ennis is something special but unless a gigantic paycheck is deposited into his account, his interest level will remain low.
Jones isn’t getting caught up in the financial part of things but dollar signs aside, a matchup between them is one he would enjoy. Through his decade-and-a-half-long career, Crawford has breezed through everyone, including Errol Spence Jr. just last year. Against Ennis, according to Jones, it won’t be a walk in the park. The Philly star isn’t your run-of-the-mill champion with rudimentary skills. All in all, he’s as good as it gets.
“That can be a very difficult fight because he has everything. When a guy is as talented and has the skill level that Boots has, anything can happen but don’t get me wrong, Bud has that skill level too. It’s a great fight.”